Language

Violence

Beatings, stabbings, and shootings, with plenty of suspense building up to each violent act. Each act is shown in full, along with the grim aftermath. Extensive physical peril, copious amounts of blood, brief-yet-graphic shots of grievously wounded and dead bodies. People are beaten senseless then dragged; characters are shown with wounds and injuries; characters are repeatedly stabbed onscreen while tied and helpless.

Spooky horror film has both tension and gore.

what parents need to know

Parents need to know that plenty of blood is spilled in this grisly, tense, very scary horror movie. Characters are stabbed, beaten, and shot, often very graphically. That said, unlike many others in the horror genre, the film doesn't sexualize its terror, and the characters in peril aren't just sacrificial lambs -- the filmmakers make you care about them. Some teens who aren't necessarily gung-ho horror fans may be drawn in by stars Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman -- but even though the film is well-made and, by the standards of the genre, "tasteful," there's still plenty of shocking violence and high-strung tension (not to mention some swearing, drinking, and smoking), making it better suited for older viewers with strong nerves.

what families can talk about

Families can talk about what makes a "good" horror film and what makes a "bad" one? Why do we seek out the artificially induced sense of apprehension and stress that horror films offer us? Why is it so much fun to be scared at the movies? Also, many horror films depict random grisly crimes -- do you think these movies reflect the reality of violent crime, or do they create (and possibly perpetuate) myths and misperceptions?

This review is provided by Common Sense Media. For more information, visit commonsense.org